"I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship" - Louisa May Alcott

WELCOME

In the spring of 1989 while visiting a homeless shelter, FINA's Executive Director met a little boy who came up to her and said that he was very worried that the Easter Bunny would not be able to find him at the shelter. The Executive Director assured him that the Easter Bunny would find him, and she returned to the shelter the day before Easter with a basket filled with candy for every child living there. The next project was a mitten, hat and glove drive for the shelter residents. As the projects expanded, food, clothing and tutorial programs were added. Four years later, Families in Need of Assistance (FINA) was incorporated as a 501(C)(3) agency.

Among the agency's many accomplishments, a Community Partnership against Domestic Violence in Albany County was coordinated. FINA was instrumental in developing the first Zero Tolerance Policy for Domestic Violence in the Albany Police Department. The agency was also involved in developing domestic violence training for judges in the New York State Office of Court Administration.

What began as an innocent comment from a homeless child grew into a multi-faceted, responsive agency that addresses the needs of the Capital District community. The work that FINA does is not duplicated by any other local organization. The agency evaluates the needs of the under served and economically disadvantaged, and it then works in coordination with homeless shelters, city agencies, medical providers and local schools. It has provided extensive, cost effective case management and advocacy for cancer victims, drug addicts and recently discharged hospital patients. Throughout the years, FINA has proved to be a responsive community agency that is there for anyone who needs assistance.

FINA maintains a 24 hour referral service for the homeless population and homeless veterans.

What began with an innocent comment from a homeless child grew into a multi-faceted, responsive agency that continues addressing the needs of our larger community. FINA is an intricate service provider, addressing, with special attention, the needs of our clients with a caring hand. FINA is a responsive agency where families can turn to for help. It matters not whether the client is a young adult in need of counseling or assistance in the area of substance abuse, or a woman who is abused and has no shelter; a person who has just been diagnosed with cancer and needs advice in dealing with insurance companies, getting a second opinion, or any other needs. FINA is there for anyone who needs assistance.

OUR BROCHURE

TESTIMONIAL

BREAKING NEWS

"Families In Need of Assistance helps people from all walks of life"

"Families In Need of Assistance ...
An organization with a lot of heart"